DEAR CRABBY,

My mother just told me about a recent wedding she went to. Because the Bride was a widow and had a home already, they didn't need anything in the way of gifts. Even though it was the Groom's first wedding, he still agreed to a plan that upset members of both families.

They put little notes in the wedding invitations saying they would like to have money donated to their honeymoon fund in place of a gift.

My mother says this is very tacky, and we should all have the choice of what to give as gifts. She doesn't want to offend them if she gives them a real gift, and says many of us don't have enough cash to give as much as would be expected in a situation like this. I think it's kind of like registering your preferences at a nice store-they list what they want, and we give it to them. Who is right on this issue of proper etiquette?

CURIOUS

DEAR CURIOUS,

Tacky? Well, it's requested you give money to their favorite charity all the time when someone dies, and who said you are supposed to come up with money at a funeral anyway? We already bring food and flowers. We are expecting to bestow a gift at a wedding, so as long as they're not spending the money by going to Vegas for his and hers lap dances and they send thank you notes, then what's the harm?

DEAR CRABBY,

I AM FURIOUS! I just found out my 13 year old brother read my diary and then told some of his friends about it! I only know because one of them felt bad and told me. To make it worse, the one that told me has a crush on me and now he knows stuff I could get into trouble for. I am 16, and do not want to start dating some little kid just to keep his mouth shut.

Help! What do I do?

HAD ENOUGH

DEAR HE,

Destroy all the evidence. And Deny, Deny, Deny. Then blow off the other kid and pull some A's in school so you'll be more credible. STOP writing things down! Stop doing things! And remember: there is not one 13 year-old boy in this country without a secret of his own....

Alternate plan: Rewrite and hide a new diary to be 'found' by your parents if necessary. It could include entries like, "Dear Diary, I'm so mad. This is the third time this week I have caught my brother trying on mom's dresses. I don't know how much longer I can cover for him. I think he is mental." Dear Diary, I heard my brother again today planning his upcoming departure. I think his love of Star Wars has gone way too far. He makes me call him Peter-bacca, and says he is the cousin of that hairy ape in the movies. I've had it.

crabcakes@sitnews.org

 

Post a Comment         View Comments
Submit an Opinion - Letter